As a single
mother, when I need ideas for what to do with my kids, I am always looking for fun, free activities to keep them entertained.

The trick is
finding fun pursuits that allow you to lure your child away from their
pixilated universe, out of the house and into a world that exists beyond their
Ipad Mini. Another bonus
is if the activity is outdoors. There is nothing like lungs filled with fresh
air and the wind in their hair to encourage kids have an early night.

Here are some
ideas that, depending on your child’s age (and the weather) will have them
swapping Netflix for the great outdoors in no time.

Camp in your own backyard

You either love
it or you hate it. But to most kids, camping is the ultimate outdoor fun. You
can avoid the hiked-up campsite costs by keeping it as local as your own
backyard (it is also heaps easier too). If you don’t have a tent, borrow one.
Get some simple food, your bedding, some torches, and you’re all set for an outdoor
adventure your kids will love, but won’t cost you a cent.

Outdoor movie

As parents, a
good old movie is brilliant entertainment as it allows us a whole 90 minutes of
peace. Yay! Put a twist on it and create an outdoor cinema. This can be as
simple as sticking the television in the garden or borrowing a projector (we
got one from our school) and making a super-easy
screen. Add rugs, beanbags, homemade popcorn, and you’re off and running. This
a great idea when you have a number of children to look after.

Take a hike

Suggesting a
hike to a child is as riveting as reminding them to finish their maths
homework. But there are ways to make it more appealing, and they can be great
for learning too. Firstly, drop the word ‘hike’ and invite them on a nature
trail, a mountain adventure or a treasure hunt. And make sure they have
something to distract them from the monotony of simply walking by organising
some simple nature-based
games to play on way. Free, learning-based fun in the outdoors! Give
yourself a pat on the back for that one mama!

Gardening

Young kids love
to get wrist deep in mud, so gardening is a great way for you to get some
outdoorsy work done, while they throw mud around. Give them an area to work
with and set them a task such as pulling out weeds or removing pebbles. My 13
yo loves to rake the garden, which is especially fun in Autumn and usually results
in the garden being messier than at the start. But so what? Playing in leaves
is a sublimely simple childhood pleasure that should not be denied to anyone.

Walk the dog (even if you don’t have one)

Walking the dog
is the best excuse for an outdoor activity, not only that it can be used day
after day after day. Of course, without an actual dog, this can be hard. Never
fear, there is always a solution. Can you walk a neighbours dog? There must be
corporate couple nearby who would love a local dog walker. It’s a great way for
your child to enjoy a pet if you don’t own one AND they could even charge a
small fee, so will be making money in the process.

The world is your canvas

Let your
creativity go wild with some outside artwork. All you need is some chalk and a concrete
area, such as a driveway or pavement, and you’re off. There’s something
extremely liberating about chalking the ground, and we personally, have had
hours of fun with it. Play games like hangman or guess the picture. Before you
know it your driveway will be the most colourful in the street and the envy of
your neighbours, until it rains that is.

Be photographers

This final
suggestion is particular good if you’re having trouble easing your offspring off
their iPhones. There are some incredible apps available for making collages and
video’s that even a 3yo can operate. Challenge your child to create a memory of
your day out by taking photos they can play with later. Photography will make
them look at the world around them differently and take an interest in things
they would usually pass by without a thought.

Beanstalk is an online space which empowers
single mothers to re-find their potential and re-build their confidence through
a website that delivers targeted information and support.

Lucy works with
hundreds of single mothers through the offering of her online
course and her Facebook
group. She is a blogger, podcaster
and mentor. She also speaks regularly on a local radio station, writes articles
for the online parenting community and continually hunts down resources of
benefit to the single motherhood.